History

The evolution of Baguio City Jail dates back during the Spanish Era. An outpost called “LEANTO” on the corner of what is known today as Abanao Street and Magsaysay Avenue where Maharlika Builiding now stands, served as holding area for offenders. Those charged with grave offenses were brought down to the lowlands before a justice of peace. It was then elevated as barracks area during the American Period for the Philippine Scouts formed to the Police occupied areas. The LEANTO was then expanded and used a Detention Center until 1945 when Baguio gained its City Charter.

Upon the completion of the Baguio City Hall in 1918, the jail’s home was then transferred to the north wing of the City Hall with five (5) male dorms, once (1) female dorm, a kitchen, and an office for the guards. It remained at City Hall until 1976 when it was transferred to the basement of the newly constructed Police Building along the corner of Abanao Street and Kayang Street, its home at present. In front is the Baguio City Hall left of it is the Baguio City Fire Station (BFP) at the back of various business establishments and terminal of public utility vehicles and the right side are apartment buildings.

Upon the inaction of RA. 6975 otherwise known as the DILG Law, Baguio City Jail, which was then under the control of the Philippine National Police (PNP), was officially turned-over to the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) on the 1st day of July 1991. The Baguio City Jail was separated into two (2); male and female dormitory in January 2013 under the administration of JSSUPT NIDA G GACUTAN-RAMOS, the Regional Director. The Baguio City Jail – Male Dorm was overseen by various jail wardens over the years.

At present, Baguio City Jail is being manned by 75 BJMP personnel, headed by JSUPT APRIL ROSE WANDAG-AYANGWA as the City Jail Warden. The current jail population is 387 PDL with 27 dorms with 153% congestion rate. The ideal capacity should be 153 Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDL) only the average occupant per dorm is about 13 to 20 PDL. The average population ranges from 400-450 PDL. The jail covers a total land area of about 1,078 square meters of which 525.484 square meters are occupied by the PDL dorms. The rest are occupied by the jail quadrangle, multi-purpose hall, chapel, kitchen, working area and different offices and sections.

LOGO AND IT’S SYMBOLISM